The cold winter weather can pull anyone into a recipe rut. We usually think of fun and colorful recipes with warmer weather. But that doesn’t have to be the case anymore! Recipes with plenty of unique textures, flavors, and colors can brighten up even the gloomiest of grey days. Making sure you have a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats will also help keep you energized throughout the day. We’ve collected 40 breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert recipes that are sure to shake off the chill and inspire you in the kitchen. Beat your winter funk by checking out our favorites below:
BREAKFAST
Easy Sweet Potato Pancakes
Who doesn’t love pancakes for breakfast? This easy recipe uses canned sweet potatoes and cottage cheese to keep the batter extra moist. The even better part? The batter is made in a blender! Load up with some new toppings like Greek yogurt, coconut flakes, mixed berries, and honey to really make these pancakes stand out.
Get the recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Pancakes
Protein-Packed Banana Muffins
Tackle on-the-go breakfast with these protein-packed muffins. Skip measuring out endless dry ingredient by starting with a protein-added pancake & waffle mix. Add some black beans for even more protein and a boost of fiber, plus ripe bananas and applesauce for sweetness. Keep these in the freezer so you always have an energy-boosting breakfast ready to go!
Get the recipe: Protein-Packed Chocolate Banana Muffins
Toast with Chocolate-Pumpkin Seed Spread
Craving chocolate-hazelnut spread? Try making your own at home! Pumpkin seeds have more protein than hazelnuts and tons of nutrients. Plus, you can easily adjust how sweet and creamy you want this spread to be when you make it yourself. Try spreading it on your favorite toasted bread and topping it with fresh berries for the best weekday breakfast.
Get the recipe: Toast with Chocolate-Pumpkin Seed Spread
Egg and Bean Breakfast Burritos
Beat the weekday morning panic with this 15-minute burrito recipe. Refried beans are topped with sauteed spinach, scrambled eggs, diced avocado, and chopped tomatoes in this hearty breakfast. Whole wheat tortillas help keep you energized for longer with their complex carbohydrates. Don’t forget the hot sauce for an extra kick!
Get the recipe: Egg and Bean Breakfast Burritos
BLAT Breakfast Sandwiches
Take a lunchtime classic and make it breakfast with this easy recipe. No need to even heat up your stove – the eggs and bacon are cooked in the microwave! Use whole wheat English muffins for an extra boost of fiber. Arugula will add a peppery bite that will make you be craving these sandwiches for the whole week.
Get the recipe: BLAT Breakfast Sandwiches
Quinoa Fruit Salad
Mix up breakfast with just 5 ingredients! Store-bought fruit salad is boosted with pre-cooked quinoa and sliced strawberries. Add a splash of lime juice and fresh mint to keep this light and refreshing. Make a big batch of this early in the week so you can easily grab it for breakfast or a hearty snack.
Get the recipe: Quinoa Fruit Salad
Triple Green Smoothie
Good things happen in threes, and this smoothie is packed with all kinds of goodness! Frozen pre-chopped spinach and pineapple keep the prep time low. The splash of surprise is an organic green tea – packed with nutrients and caffeine to keep you boosted. Creamy Greek yogurt is full of probiotics and will help keep your gut happy. Add some avocado for extra decadence and you’re ready to enjoy.
Get the recipe: Triple Green Smoothie
Freezer Make-Ahead Egg Muffin Sandwiches
Use a muffin tin to make these easy meal-prep breakfast sandwiches. These eggy bites are packed with bacon, spinach, and shredded cheese – all the best parts of breakfast. Sandwiches the egg muffins between whole wheat English muffins and wrap them up to freeze. Never run out the door on an empty stomach again!
Get the recipe: Freezer Make-Ahead Egg Muffin Sandwiches
Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Eat chocolate for breakfast with this 5-ingredient quinoa bowl! Warm up precooked quinoa with creamy half and half for a base. Stir in some cinnamon and top it with fresh blueberries. The best part? Adding Peanut Butter Lover’s Trail Mix! This snack-tastic mix is packed with peanut, dried cherries, dried cranberries, mini peanut butter cups, and milk chocolate chips.
Get the recipe: Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Ham and Cheese Breakfast Pastries
If you’re Team Savory Breakfast, these easy 5-ingredient pastries are for you. Store-bought puff pastry dough is topped with gooey American cheese, deli sliced ham, and creamy scrambled eggs. Bake them off ahead of time and keep them in the freezer for the ultimate way to start your day.
Get the recipe: Ham and Cheese Breakfast Pastries
LUNCH
Sauerkraut and Arugula Salad
Boost your gut this this crunchy salad. Baby arugula is topped with sliced onion and apple. The surprising ingredient? Sauerkraut! It’s packed with probiotics and has plenty of tang – no need to add vinegar for a dressing. Just add some creamy sliced avocado and a drizzle of olive oil to finish off this perfect lunch.
Get the recipe: Sauerkraut and Arugula Salad
Open-Faced Tuna Melts with Potato Chips
Dig in to the foods you crave with this cheesy Tuna Melt. The best part? Kettle chips on top! Instead of the usual mayonnaise-base for the tuna salad, we’ve blended up white beans for an extra punch of protein and fiber. Serve with your favorite pickles and your diner-style lunch at home is ready.
Get the recipe: Open-Faced Tuna Melts with Potato Chips
Thai Winter Bliss Zoodle Bowl
Find your bliss with this Thai-inspired bliss bowl recipe! Boost your veggies by swapping store-bought zoodles for traditional grain. Frozen cooked shrimp and edamame pack in the protein and keep this recipe under 15 minutes. A mason-jar dressing and plenty of crunchy toppings make this recipe extra delicious and easy.
Get the recipe: Thai Winter Bliss Zoodle Bowl
Easy Chicken Soup with Bok Choy and Rice Noodles
Looking for something warm and comforting for lunch? Try this flavorful twist on a classic chicken noodle soup. Fresh ginger and garlic start as an aromatic base for the broth. Add a mix of rice noodles and squash noodles for even more veggies. Be sure to finish it off with hot sauce to clear out those sinuses!
Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Soup with Bok Choy and Rice Noodles
Shrimp Salad Seaweed Wraps
Have lunch ready in just 15 minutes with this recipe using the TikTok-viral folding technique! Crunchy seaweed is topped with a creamy shrimp salad, seasoned brown rice, crunchy cucumbers, and creamy avocado. You’ll be sure to make any lunch buddies jealous with this sensational and filling wrap.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Salad Seaweed Wraps
Caprese Avocado Toast
Avocado toast isn’t just for breakfast! With just 5 ingredients you can have the perfect Italian-inspired lunch ready to go. Top toasted whole grain bread with a mix of pesto and avocado. Add some fresh mozzarella and sliced tomatoes, and you’re ready to eat. For some extra bite and a fancy flair, sprinkle on some chopped red onion as a bonus.
Get the recipe: Caprese Avocado Toast
Black Bean Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings
Boost a store-bought soup with this easy recipe. Mix Southwestern Style Black Bean Soup with a whole bag of spinach. Whip up a quick cornmeal batter and drop the dumplings straight into the soup. Let that simmer for just a few minutes, and a hearty comforting lunch is all set. Get your cornbread and soup all in one recipe!
Get the recipe: Black Bean Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings
Rainbow Roll-Ups
The only cooking for this recipe is just heating up the tortillas! Bump up the veggie crunch by mixing rainbow slaw and baby spinach. Spread your favorite hummus on a whole wheat or sundried tomato tortilla and add your crunchy salad. Top that with jarred roasted red pepper strips and roll yourself up the perfect lunch bite.
Get the recipe: Rainbow Roll-Ups
Egg Roll in a Bowl
No time to make egg rolls from scratch? No problem! These easy egg roll-inspired bowls are sure to make everyone happy. Bulk out ground chicken with tons of vegetables and an easy sauce. Top the bowls off with crushed rice crackers, and you won’t even miss regular egg rolls!
Get the recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Buffalo Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups
Get all the flavors of buffalo chicken wings without the bones in this easy recipe. Shredded cooked chicken is tossed with buffalo sauce, Greek yogurt, and mayonnaise. Pile that on top of romaine and add shredded carrots as a classic wing topper. Don’t forget the blue cheese!
Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups
DINNER
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai with Chicken
Swap out rice noodles for spaghetti squash with this easy dinner. Cooking the squash in the Instant Pot makes it a breeze. Finish cooking the chicken, eggs, and sauce in the same pot too to have fewer dishes. Top it with chopped peanuts and cilantro, and this protein-and-veggie-packed dinner is ready!
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai with Chicken
Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Crema
Conquer meatless Mondays with these flavor-packed tacos. Cauliflower is battered and baked, then topped with a creamy avocado-yogurt sauce. Add crunchy shredded cabbage and fresh cilantro to complete your tacos. From Taco Tuesdays to any day of the week, these vegetarian tacos are sure to be a new household favorite.
Get the recipe: Cauliflower Tacos with Avocado Crema
Pork Tenderloin with Jicama-Grapefruit Salsa
Jump on peak citrus season with this easy recipe. Marinate pork tenderloin before roasting it in the oven. Mix together grapefruit segments and crunchy jicama, a starchy root vegetable that tastes like an apple without the sweetness. Add even more fresh ingredients like red bell pepper, cilantro, and jalapeno to get the perfect salsa to eat with this pork.
Get the recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Jicama-Grapefruit Salsa
Mushroom-Beef Burgers
Stretch a pound of beef by adding finely chopped baby bella mushrooms. The mushrooms will add moisture and a boost of savory umami flavor. Don’t forget to add your favorite toppings to make burger night complete. Try setting everything out buffet-style to have the ultimate burger night at home.
Get the recipe: Mushroom-Beef Burgers
Mojito Chicken with Pineapple Salsa
Canned pineapple is the ultimate hack to adding a taste of summer in the winter! Complete the pineapple salsa with fresh tomatoes, chopped red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Start the chicken breasts in a minty, mojito-inspired marinade before searing them in a skillet. Serve with pearled couscous for a warm-weather treat on even the coldest night.
Get the recipe: Mojito Chicken with Pineapple Salsa
Hasselback Eggplant Parm
Try this trendy twist on an Italian classic. Use chopsticks to make sure you don’t cut completely through the eggplant. Stuff the slices with fresh tomato before baking the eggplant on a bed of tomato sauce. Top it with plenty of mozzarella cheese and some crunchy panko breadcrumbs. Buon appetito!
Get the recipe: Hasselback Eggplant Parm
Chicken Peperonata
This comforting 5-ingredient chicken dinner is sure to be a winner! Frozen bell peppers and halved grape tomatoes form the traditional Italian stew peperonata that is the base for seared chicken thighs. Garnish with parsley for a touch of green in this 20-minute recipe. Try serving it with rice, pasta, or polenta.
Get the recipe: Chicken Peperonata
Quick Beef and Veggie Chili
This quick chili is ready in just 40 minutes. No one will suspect the secret ingredient – canned pumpkin! Ground beef and kidney beans add the protein. Don’t skimp on the toppings either – load up your bowls with radishes, oyster crackers, sour cream, and avocado. Love this recipe all over again by transforming leftovers into a One-Pot Cincinnati Chili Melt.
Get the recipe: Quick Beef and Veggie Chili
Jambalaya-Stuffed Peppers
Pack this Cajun and Creole classic into bell peppers for a colorful and veggie-packed dinner. French, African, and Spanish cuisines are combined into jambalaya. Switch up your weeknight routine by trying out this twist on stuffed peppers. Ground chicken and brown rice are the base of the flavorful filling. Add plenty of Louisiana hot sauce for the finishing kick.
Get the recipe: Jambalaya-Stuffed Peppers
Family-Friendly Sheet Pan Nachos
Go straight from the oven to the table with these family-style nachos. Ground turkey and pinto beans are mixed with spices before being topped with cheese and baked. Tomatoes, bell pepper, lettuce, avocado, and cilantro finish out these over-the-top nachos. Don’t forget the finishing touches of sour cream and salsa.
Get the recipe: Family-Friendly Sheet Pan Nachos
DESSERT
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
These bites went viral on TikTok and are inspired by a classic caramel-peanut candy bar. Medjool dates are pitted and stuffed with creamy peanut butter before being topped with melted chocolate and chopped peanuts. Make a batch and keep in the fridge to have a sweet treat throughout the week.
Get the recipe: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
Air Fried Banana Split
Make dessert with just 5-ingredients in this classic sundae-inspired recipe. Stuff a banana with peanut butter, nuts, and chocolate before cooking in the air fryer. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of ice cream for the perfect, lightened up dessert. Try adding on even more of your favorite toppings to make it all your own.
Get the recipe: Air Fried Banana Split
Energy Cookie Dough Bites
Edible cookie dough has been all the rage – make it better for you by using chickpeas as the base! Blend the chickpeas with peanut butter and oats to keep them together. Add dates for sweetness and vanilla for the classic cookie flavor. Use mini or regular sized chocolate chips to finish these adorable bites.
Get the recipe: Energy Cookie Dough Bites
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Creamy and chocolatey, this chia seed pudding only needs 5 ingredients and is completely vegan. Letting the chia seeds soak overnight make sure the pudding will be nice and smooth. Dates naturally sweeten the pudding. Try topping it with sliced almonds for crunch or a coconut cream for extra richness.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chia Pudding
Three-Ingredient Nice Cream
No need for ice cream when you have this recipe! Pick either strawberries or peaches to be your main flavor, then slice them up with bananas and freeze. Blend your fruit with your milk of choice, and your nice cream is ready! If you like soft serve, eat the nice cream right away. If you like a harder ice cream, freeze it for a few hours then scoop just like ice cream.
Get the recipe: Three-Ingredient Nice Cream
Raspberry Yogurt Pops
Make your own easy ice pops with just four easy ingredients. Blend fresh raspberries with honey, water, lime juice, and yogurt before transferring to ice pop molds and freezing. Run the molds under water to make sure they come out super easily. Try switching up the raspberries for your favorite type of berry for a personal twist.
Get the recipe: Raspberry Yogurt Pops
Mini Honey and Apple Tartlets
Using two types of apple makes these bite-sized tarts the ultimate comfort treat. Top frozen puff pastry with a mixture of chopped apples, apricot jam, honey, and spices. Add sliced almonds as the finishing touch on the baked bites. Feeling extra? Try topping the tartlets with frozen yogurt or ice cream.
Get the recipe: Mini Honey and Apple Tartlets
Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Going gluten free or paleo? No need to give up your favorite breakfast treat! This easy banana bread has two times the chocolate and is sweetened by just bananas and maple syrup. Almond flour keeps it all together and adds some extra protein. Chocolate lovers rejoice!
Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Oatmeal Apple Cookies
Grated Honeycrisp apple is the perfect combination of juicy and sweet and is the star of this gluten-free cookie recipe. Rolled oats and almond flour replace regular flour. Top the cookies off with sliced almonds right before baking. Have these cookies as a crunchy snack or sweet treat at night.
Get the recipe: Oatmeal Apple Cookies
Birthday Cake Bites
Even if it isn’t your birthday, these protein-packed bites are full of fun and festivity. Medjool dates are soaked and mixed with rolled oats, nut butter, and vanilla extract. Fold in rainbow sprinkles for the classic birthday cake look. These bites have plenty of fiber and protein to be the perfect snack or special dessert.
Get the recipe: Birthday Cake Bites
